Community Celebrates Upgrades to Jefferson Elementary School Playground

Westfield Families Celebrate New Accessible Playground

The swings and climbing structures at Jefferson Elementary School in Westfield have new company this year: accessible equipment designed so kids of every ability can play side by side.

The upgrade is the latest milestone for Project Playground, a Westfield parent led initiative that has spent the past several years pushing to make school playgrounds across town more inclusive. Union County Life has followed the group's progress as it has expanded from one school to several.

Project Playground got its start in January 2022, when a small group of Westfield parents set out to change how the town's school playgrounds were built. Their first project, completed at Lincoln School in November 2023, raised $135,000 and added six pieces of accessible equipment along with new surfacing.

From there, the effort grew. In January 2024, Project Playground expanded to Franklin and Jefferson elementary schools, two buildings that together serve more than 900 students. By November 2024, the group had raised more than $110,000 to fund new equipment specifically for Jefferson, and that equipment has since been installed.

For the families who have spent years fundraising, the payoff is visible every day at recess: a playground where accessibility is not an afterthought, but part of the design from the start. Project Playground has said its broader goal is making sure no child has to sit out simply because a playground was not built with them in mind.

The group is not finished. With Lincoln, Franklin, and Jefferson schools now in progress or completed, Project Playground has raised more than $400,000 toward accessible playground upgrades across Westfield, with more schools in its sights.

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FAQ

What is Project Playground in Westfield?
It is a parent led initiative that raises money to install accessible playground equipment at Westfield elementary schools, started in January 2022.

Which Westfield schools have gotten new accessible playgrounds?
Lincoln School (completed November 2023), and Franklin and Jefferson elementary schools (expanded to in January 2024, with Jefferson's equipment installed by November 2024).

How much has Project Playground raised so far?
The group has raised more than $400,000 total, including over $110,000 specifically for the Jefferson Elementary upgrade.